The Dispatch Podcast Working in Congress Sucks | Roundtable
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Dec 1, 2023 The podcast discusses the frustrations of working in Congress and explores solutions such as term limits and expanding the House. They also delve into the challenges of repealing Citizens United. The hosts analyze the shift in Israeli leadership's response to attacks and the hostage negotiation process. Additionally, they discuss the Elf on the Shelf tradition and the concept of lying to children. The chapter ends with a conversation about Santa Claus, technology's impact on traditions, and the importance of community.
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Congress As A Performative Institution
- Working in Congress has become performative, driving away people who want to legislate.
- Members feel pressured to say publicly what they don’t believe, which exhausts those with conscience.
Perverse Incentives Drive Out Good Legislators
- Dysfunction rewards performative, extreme actors while pushing out diligent legislators.
- Gresham's law applies: the worst behavior becomes dominant if incentives favor it.
Use Term Limits To Reset Incentives
- Consider term limits to restore citizen legislatures and rotate political power.
- Term limits would force members to stay responsive to voters rather than entrenching career politicians.